Sodium oxybate, a cause of extreme weight loss in 27-year-old
This article describes the case of a 27-year-old female patient who presented with unexplained weight loss and other alarming symptoms triggered by sodium oxybate. The patient lost 64 pounds of weight in over a 10-month period. Other symptoms she presented with included, decreased energy, a lack of interest in her daily activities, depressed mood and drenching night sweats.
Her medical history revealed cataplexy, type 1 narcolepsy with hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations, dysmenorrhea and polycystic ovarian syndrome. She consulted a neurologist for her narcolepsy and was initially prescribed with methylphenidate, 120 mg, daily. Later the medication was transitioned to SXB (sodium oxybate), 9 g daily. The medication showed higher efficacy – prescribed 10 months before her presentation. The medication is used for prevention of attacks of cataplexy, which are episodes of muscle weakness that begin suddenly and last for a short period of time. It is also used for the treatment of narcolepsy, a condition that causes severe daytime sleepiness.
Despite eating three meals a day, she was losing weight on a daily basis
According to the patient, during this time period, she was having three meals a day and not exercising at all. Despite it, she was losing weight on a daily basis. She weighed 205 pounds when the symptoms first started and on her presentation weighed 142 pounds. She did not have any gastrointestinal symptoms. Physical examination was normal, with no palpable lymphadenopathy. Her pelvic exam and pap smear from the previous year was also normal. Given the patient’s unexplained weight loss, she was advised an extensive work up. All lab work and imaging was normal.
The doctors speculated that her symptoms were caused because of SXB (sodium oxybate) and decided to stop the medication. On her 3-week follow-up, her depressive symptoms had resolved. In addition, she gained 3 pounds, for the first time in almost a year, instead of losing any weight. Thus, concluding that her symptoms were caused by SXB.
References
Sodium Oxybate Induces Involuntary Weight Loss In Young Female- Case Study https://speciality.medicaldialogues.in/sodium-oxybate-induces-involuntary-weight-loss-in-young-female-case-study
